EUGENE, Ore. -- (April 30, 2013) -- Two undergraduate students at the University of Oregon have organized an event to bring students and professionals together to discuss technology, education, built environment, impact investing, policy and law.

SPRNG (Sustainable Practices Raising Net Growth), is May 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the UO in Portland, White Stag Block, 70 NW Couch St.

The event, intended to become an annual occurrence, aims to connect students and industry professionals together for meaningful discussions about advancing the “triple bottom line” or people, planet and profit, a phrase coined by John Elkington, the founder of a British consultancy called SustainAbility, in 1994.

SPRNG speakers include Dave Frohnmayer, UO president emeritus and former attorney general, and Mark Edlen, CEO of GerdingEdlen, a development firm, as well as several additional panelists.

The Net Impact Undergraduate chapter has assembled the SPRNG conference. The goal of UO Net Impact is to educate, collaborate with and positively influence campus and local community through the power of sustainable business practices.

SPRNG organizers Ryan Seo and Garrett Dunlavey expect 90 to 120 attendees with nearly two-thirds of registrants coming from Pacific Northwest companies.  To register, visit: http://sprng-es2004.eventbrite.com/?rank=1. Student and faculty registration is $10, and professionals are $35.

“Our ultimate goal is making a better impact by believing that power of collaboration can truly fuel creativity, and innovation,” Seo told Sustainable Business Oregon in an interview. “While pursuing this, we want every participant to be able enjoy their time while working towards building a better future.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu

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